The team, led by Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, was only aiming for one lap on hydrogen fuel.

That doesn't seem much of a target, but Aston Martin is taking baby steps with the new car before it competes in the full 24-hour race at the circuit next month.

“To have run full laps on hydrogen gas alone during the four-hour event is an exceptional ‘first’, and I now hope that we can stabilise the system and further improve the Rapide S so we can complete the 24-hour race on May 19 with many zero emission laps," said Dr. Bez.

In contrast to many hydrogen vehicles undergoing testing, the Rapide uses the gas as a fuel for internal combustion, rather than in a fuel cell.

That means the race car still uses the road-going Rapide S's 6.0-liter V-12 engine, punching it to a top speed of 190 mph. The race car's engine is tuned to run on either hydrogen or gasoline, or a mixture of the two.

You can debate on the green merits of that yourself, but many will see it as a way of keeping the brand's more desirable qualities--among which is a tuneful exhaust note--while cleaning up emissions and reducing fuel use.

The ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours takes place on May 19-20 this year.

Wait wait, they just put it through 1 racing lap for the first time and in less then a month they are expecting to go through a 24 hour endurance race? Lol!!

CDspeed
Posted: 4/30/2013 11:51am PDT

Oops my mistake one hydrogen powered lap, still it's laughable because they're making it sound like its a pure hydrogen car. I really don't see this making it through a 24 hour race, and why bother with the hydrogen, will we know when it's using it or will we have to wait for a press release claiming that they did in fact use it.

kidmarc
Posted: 5/2/2013 6:27am PDT

Read the article. It runs on gasoline, H2, or mixture thereof. Therefore, it has enhanced mileage, more horsepower, and negative emissions.